D. Kojo Hamilton, MD

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Biography

D. Kojo Hamilton, MD, a recognized leader in scoliosis, adult spinal deformity and trauma, joined the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery in July of 2014.

He received his medical degree and residency training from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. He underwent further subspecialty training in complex spine, spinal deformity, scoliosis and spine surgical oncology, with a combined neurosurgical and orthopedic (AOSpine) fellowship, at the University of Virginia. Dr. Hamilton further received subspecialty training in Auckland City Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand.

He is board certified in neurological surgery and a fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and a candidate member of the Scoliosis Research Society.

After training, Dr. Hamilton received appointments at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Maryland Shock Trauma Hospital where he treated patients with complex spine deformity and severe spine and brain trauma. Before joining UPMC, Dr. Hamilton was at the Oregon Health and Science University Spine Center where he treated patients with neurological trauma as well as spinal deformity conditions including adult idiopathic scoliosis, spondylolisthesis and general back and neck pain.

Dr. Hamilton is nationally involved in teaching advanced and current techniques in scoliosis and adult spine deformity. He has an extensive research background in spine surgery and has presented nationally and internationally on the subject.

Dr. Hamilton has received several awards and accolades from his patients, nurses and peers.

Hospital Privileges

Professional Organization Membership

American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral NervesAANS/CNS Joint Section on Neurotrauma and Critical CareAOSpine North America (AOSNA)Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS)Scoliosis Research Society

Education & Training

BS (High Honors), Biochemistry, University of Maryland, 1998MD, University of Virginia, 2003Fellowship, Brain and Spine, Auckland City Hospital, 2008Residency, University of Virginia, 2009Fellowship, Complex Spine, University of Virginia, 2010

A complete list of Dr. Hamilton's publications can be reviewed through the National Library of Medicine's publication database.

Research Activities

Dr. Hamilton is a principal investigator on a Phase 2b, multicenter, parallel- group, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study to evaluate Staphylococcus Aureus-4 antigen (SA4Ag) vaccine safety and efficacy in the prevention of postoperative Staphylococcus aureus disease in adults ages 18 to <86 years who are undergoing elective posterior instrumented lumbar spinal fusion. Approximately 2600 subjects are expected to be enrolled internationally. Dr. Hamilton has currently reached 50% enrollment for the University of Pittsburgh site. The national average is 15%.

Dr. Hamilton is also a principal investigator on a study involving neurophysiological and imaging markers of iatrogenic spinal cord injury (SCI) and recovery. The working hypothesis is that changes in intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring and functional anisotropy (measured via diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) are sensitive and specific to spinal cord injury. The working hypothesis, based on previously published studies, is that improvement in somatosensory evoked potentials and FA scores (measured via DTI) correlate closely with the functional recovery in SCI.